Judaism 101
Judaism 101 is our congregation’s course for those seeking comprehensive introductory learning about Judaism.
Rabbi Block is the primary teacher for this program, which meets on Thursday evenings, 7-8:30pm.
All are welcome to this program, conducted with the rigor of an undergraduate college course, but requiring no prior knowledge.
Judaism 101 students range from congregants who have been Jewish all their lives to non-Jews in relationships with Jews,
from those converting to Judaism to those eager to be well prepared to raise Jewish children.
The course is free for Temple members, with a cost of $100 for all others.
For both members and others, books cost $72 for the whole set. (Couples taking the course together are welcome to share a set.)
For more information, please contact Rabbi Block.
For registration, please contact the Temple office, 501-225-9700 or TempleSecretary@www.bnai-israel.us.
Judaism 101
Congregation B’nai Israel
Little Rock, Arkansas
5782 (2021-22)
August 26
Jewish Views of God
September 2
The High Holy Days: Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur
Reading: A Guide to the Jewish Seasons, pp. 3-10, 27-44, 110-114, 123
September 9
The Pilgrimage Festivals: Passover, Shavuot, and Sukkot
Reading: A Guide to the Jewish Seasons, pp. 45-70, 115-122, 153-156
September 23
Navigating the Prayerbook
September 30
Shabbat
Reading: Gates of Shabbat, all
October 7
Life Cycles 1: Birth and Bringing a Child into the Covenant
Reading: Navigating the Journey, pp. 3-16, 205-224
October 14
Life Cycles 2: Jewish Education, Bar/Bat Mitzvah, and Confirmation – Eileen Hamilton teaching
Reading: Navigating the Journey, pp. 17-24, 149-154,
October 21
Life Cycles 3: Marriage (and Divorce)
Reading: Navigating the Journey, pp. 25-54, 173-198, 225-230
October 28
Life Cycles 4: Conversion to Judaism
Reading: Navigating the Journey, pp. 199-204
A Guide to the Jewish Seasons, pp. 157-161
November 4
Life Cycles 5: Death and Mourning
Reading: Navigating the Journey, pp. 55-84, 231-254
November 11
Life After Death
November 18
Chanukah and Purim – Ellyn Polsky teaching
Reading: A Guide to the Jewish Seasons, pp. 71-80, 107-110
December 2
Judaism and Christianity: Similarities and Differences
December 9
Comparative Judaism: Reform, Conservative, Orthodox, and more
Reading: Navigating the Journey, pp. 85-148, 155-172
January 13
Jewish History 1: The Tanach and its Time
Reading: A Short History of the Jewish People, pp. 1-50
A Guide to the Jewish Seasons, p. 86
January 20
Jewish History 2: The Rabbinic Period and Oral Torah
Reading: A Short History of the Jewish People, pp. 51-70
February 10
Jewish History 3: Medieval Jewish History
Reading: A Short History of the Jewish People, pp. 71-122
February 17
Jewish History 4: The Dawn of Modernity
Reading: A Short History of the Jewish People, pp. 123-198
February 24
Jewish History 5: Holocaust – Guest Lecturer, Prof. Dorian Stuber, Ph.D.
Reading: A Short History of the Jewish People, pp. 199-216
A Guide to the Jewish Seasons, p. 83
March 3
Jewish History 7: The History of Israel I
Reading: A Short History of the Jewish People, pp. 217-260
March 10
Jewish History 8: The History of Israel II
Reading: A Guide to the Jewish Seasons, pp. 84-85
Bibliography
Knobel, Peter S., Editor. A Guide to the Jewish Seasons. New York: Central Conference of American Rabbis, 2013.
Knobel, Peter S., Editor. Navigating the Journey. New York: Central Conference of American Rabbis, 2017.
Scheindlin, Raymond P. A Short History of the Jewish People. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1998.
Shapiro, Mark Dov, Editor. Gates of Shabbat, Newly Revised and Updated. New York: Central Conference of American Rabbis, 2016.